How to Write モ (Katakana 'mo') — Stroke Order, Readings & Printable Worksheet
Master the 3-stroke writing sequence of the Katakana (カタカナ) (Foundational Japanese Kana Syllabary) character モ (“Katakana 'mo'”), indexed under the モ (—) radical. Practice モ alongside high-frequency Japanese Jukugo compounds such as モデル (moderu — model).
🔍 Radical & Component Breakdown (モ)
Primary Radical (部首): モ — —
Curriculum & Reading Usage: Foundational Japanese Kana Syllabary (Katakana (カタカナ)). As a phonetic Katakana (カタカナ) syllable pronounced "mo", モ represents a fixed mora sound rather than splitting into Onyomi and Kunyomi readings.
Genkō Yōshi Proportions (3画): With only 3 strokes, モ is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the モ (—) structure cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
📜 Etymology & Mnemonic Insight (六書 / Rikusho)
In Katakana (カタカナ) (Foundational Japanese Kana Syllabary), モ conveys the core meaning “Katakana 'mo'” and is built around the モ (—) radical across 3 strokes (foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes)). Reinforce モ in memory by pairing its radical structure with real Jukugo vocabulary: モデル (moderu — model).
Common Japanese Words & Jukugo Using モ
Frequently Asked Questions About Kanji モ (FAQ)
How many strokes are in モ and how is it structured?
The Japanese character モ ("Katakana 'mo'") is written with 3 strokes (3画) as a Katakana (カタカナ) (Foundational Japanese Kana Syllabary) foundational low-stroke shape (1–5 strokes) indexed under the モ (—) radical. With only 3 strokes, モ is a foundational shape where center-of-gravity alignment on the Genkō Yōshi (原稿用紙) crosshairs is immediately visible. Anchor the モ (—) structure cleanly around the center intersection and finish terminal strokes with crisp tome (stop) or harai (sweep) release.
What are the Onyomi, Kunyomi, and Jukugo words for モ?
For モ (Katakana (カタカナ)), the Onyomi is — and the Kunyomi is mo. As a phonetic Katakana (カタカナ) syllable pronounced "mo", モ represents a fixed mora sound rather than splitting into Onyomi and Kunyomi readings. High-frequency Japanese vocabulary using モ includes モデル (moderu — model).
What is the stroke order rule for writing モ on Genkō Yōshi paper?
When writing the 3 strokes of モ (Katakana 'mo'), start with the モ (—) and follow standard Japanese Hitsujun (筆順) principles: top to bottom (上から下) and left to right (左から右). Practice モ interactively on the Kanji Scribe canvas or print a free A4 Genkō Yōshi PDF worksheet.
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